HYDERABAD: High drama was witnessed at the State Election Commission (SEC) here on Sunday when a seven-member delegation of the Telugu Desam Party, led by Lok Sabha member M. Jaganadham, staged a dharna after being prevented from entering the Commission office to submit a memorandum.

Even as the TDP leaders were arguing with the police officials demanding that they be allowed to meet Commissioner A. V. S. Reddy, the latter, addressing a press conference, lashed out at the TDP for what he called an attempt to stall the democratic poll process.

The delegation comprising Dr. Jaganadham, former MP Alladi Raj Kumar, party MLAs E. Dayakar Rao, K. Harishwar Reddy, S. Maruthi, V. Narender Reddy and D. Narender Kumar was stopped by police at the main entrance of the SEC office. The leaders wanted the Commission not to issue the notification till the High Court gave its ruling on cases pertaining to deletion and addition of voters in some districts.

Appointment

The leaders contended that they had an appointment with the Commissioner. But they were informed that the Commissioner was busy. The TDP delegation was forced to stay put at the main entrance as the gates were locked. It raised slogans against the SEC before finally being allowed to meet the Commissioner.

Speaking to reporters after submitting a memorandum, the team members said the Commissioner had assured that complaints pertaining to electoral rolls would be rectified by July 15.

TDP flayed

Mr. Reddy lashed out at the TDP for trying to belittle the Election Commission and "playing with democracy and Constitution" by coming up with unreasonable demands.

He asked them why they had not pointed out the anomalies in rolls earlier.

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